The 45-year-old man is now kayaking a still-swollen Missouri River from end to end. He started his voyage in North Dakota after he travelled the Yellowstone River beginning on July 25.

"Well I've always enjoyed America," Embery said. "25 years ago I cycled America coast to coast, and then 12 years ago I paddled the Mississippi [River] end to end. So I figured it's time to do the Missouri [River]."

Embery said he hopes to arrive at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, in north St. Louis County, Mo., by the end of September.

Even though flooding along the Missouri River has slowed down hundreds of lives, and ruined just as many homes, it's actually sped up Embery's trip.

"Generally, I was doing 40 miles per day, but with the river like this, I can do 40 miles, 50 miles easily per day," Embery said, speaking of the river's fast-moving current.

Embery said he's single. He said he doesn't have a home, a wife, or kids.

"I have no responsibilities," Embery said.

All he has, he said, are investments. One of those investments: that $280 blue, plastic kayak he said he purchased in Montana in mid-July. It's packed with a tent, an iPod, a camera, clothes, water and food.

"Well, I probably got more than I should have," Embery said jokingly.

Embery said he spends each night on the river bank, or in a campground that's been unaffected by the floods.

Once Embery arrives in the St. Louis area, he said he plans to sell his kayak or give it away. Then he said he'll find a way to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to fly home to Australia, to visit his friends and extended family.